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The Orthodontist and The Dentist: Your Tooth Saviours

When it comes to your tooth, there is only one doctor you can rely on – the dentist. You may not know it, however, but there is another doctor that can handle more complex procedures involving your teeth. They are called an orthodontist.

What It Takes to Be A Dentist

Trainings to become a private dentist starts in a dental school. The entire course typically lasts for 6 years. Prior to this, however, you have to make sure you have above average grades in subjects such as Biology and Chemistry. According to Church Road Dental and Cosmetics, some countries require additional qualifications, such as manual dexterity, before you are allowed to enroll in a dental school. In Manchester, for example, you would need to prove that you have worked as a dental assistant for more than two years before you can take up Dentistry.

Becoming An Orthodontist

Because orthodontists tend to deal with more complex conditions compared to dentists, the requirements to become one tend to be more stringent. You need to become a dentist first before you can start working on your Orthodontic degree. This is because Orthodontics is considered a specialised form of dentistry. You would also need to gain years of experience as a dentist before you can apply for an orthodontist program. Simply put, you can say that an orthodontist is always a dentist, but a dentist does not always become an orthodontist.

Dentist vs. Orthodontist

Dentists generally focus on common teeth concerns, including plaque formation, bad breath, tooth decay and gum problems. They are typically the ones who would give you tips on how to better take care of your teeth.

On the other hand, orthodontists are responsible for teeth alignment; thus, if your dentist sees that you have an overbite or an under bite, you might be referred to an orthodontist to have it corrected.